Fighting Fat With Fat: n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Adipose Deposition in Broiler Chickens

Modern broiler chickens are incredibly efficient, but they accumulate more adipose tissue than is physiologically necessary due to inadvertent consequences of selection for rapid growth. Accumulation of excess adipose tissue wastes feed in birds raised for market, and it compromises well-being in broiler-breeders. Studies driven by the obesity epidemic in humans demonstrate that the fatty acid profile of the diet influences adipose tissue growth and metabolism in ways that can be manipulated to reduce fat accretion. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) can inhibit adipocyte differentiation, induce fatty acid oxidation, and enhance energy expenditure, all of which can counteract the accretion of excess adipose tissue. This mini-review summarizes efforts to counteract the tendency for fat accretion in broilers by enriching the diet in n-3 PUFA.

Automated summary

Modern broiler chickens accumulate more adipose tissue than is necessary due to selection for rapid growth, which can compromise well-being and waste feed. Studies show that diet rich in Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) can inhibit fat accretion by influencing adipose tissue growth and metabolism. Efforts to reduce fat accretion in broilers by enriching the diet in n-3 PUFA have shown promising results.